Apple WWDC 2025: iOS 26 Lock Screen Revamped With Liquid Glass Effects

The much-awaited WWDC 2025 keynote came and went, with Apple unveiling iOS 16 to the world, along with its massive revamp of the experience, as well as new features featuring the iconic user interface. The Liquid Glass UI introduced numerous changes to the iPhone operating system, and some of the most notable ones can be found right on the lock screen.

Since its introduction, lock screen customization has been well enjoyed by iPhone users over the years, with Apple now taking it to the next level with the latest version of the operating system coming later this year.

WWDC 2025: iOS 26 Liquid Glass UI Lock Screen Upgrades

Apple's latest showcase brought the world a significant look at what iOS 26 delivers, with this latest redesign for the operating system ushering in a new era of consistency and continuity across devices. Almost all aspects of iOS saw major changes in this latest version, with Apple updating the look of its experiences for various apps and platforms including Messages, Phone, Music, and more.

Moreover, this update also improves Apple Intelligence for all, with the built-in AI technology promising a "more capable" experience for users who will get the chance to update to the latest version.

The most important development here is the UI change to the visionOS Liquid Glass as it essentially changeseverything that users see on iPhones, with the company putting significant efforts into its lock screen customization.

Live Now Playing Widget

iOS 26 Now Playing

Previously, users who were playing songs via Apple Music had the option to either see the album art bigger by tapping on the image to have it take over a big part of the lock screen. However, in the latest iOS 26, it will now be a live Now Playing widget that takes over the entire screen, with the album art seeing specific animation that users could only before when the app is unlocked.

Moreover, instead of the clock and date still retaining their space on the lock screen, it will now be smaller and overlay atop the animated Now Playing widget.

Dynamic Clock

iOS 26 Dynamic Clock

After adding more font styles and designs to the clock found on the lock screen, Apple doubled down on iOS 26 to deliver a new look for it which is called the "Dynamic Clock." While users who used images with subjects on their lock screen before can arrange the clock to be behind the image, this new Dynamic Clock on iOS 26 will better adapt to the used image for the lock screen wallpaper.

It will then adjust its position automatically to fit the wallpaper, either small or big, depending on the subject's position.

Parallax Effect

iOS 26 Parallax

Your photos can be transformed into three-dimensional images for the lock screen with iOS 26's latest feature thatapplies a 'parallax effect' which reacts to gestures or movements of the device as per 9to5Mac. This feature generatesspatial depth to images on the lock screen that uses on-device computer vision to transform the images into 3D.

Apple is expected to release the iOS 26 this Fall, same as its previous schedules on past iOS releases.